“Pakistan is interested in launching a shipping line between
the two countries’ ports, but there are obstacles and problems that need to be
resolved in this regard; the Iranian side is ready to allocate vessels for this
line provided that the Pakistani side agrees to pay the costs for these
vessels,” Hosseini said in an online meeting with PMO Managing Director
Ali-Akbar Safaei.
Referring to the interest of the Pakistani Minister of
Maritime Affairs in cooperating with Iran for resolving maritime issues,
launching shipping lines, and joint cooperation of Gwadar and Chabahar ports,
Hosseini said: “Pakistanis are currently considering launching shipping lines
with Iran, Oman, and UAE.”
Further in this meeting, Safaei emphasized the need to
strengthen maritime transport and logistics cooperation with countries in the
region and especially neighbors, saying: "To this end, we have had a series
of meetings with Iranian ambassadors in neighboring countries and ambassadors
of these countries in Iran to discuss cooperation in various port and maritime
sectors."
The official noted that the Ports and Maritime Organization
is ready to provide the necessary assistance in the field of maritime transport
for promoting the exports of energy carriers to Pakistan.